The epidemic is spreading through the United States of America. The fear has spread across the globe quicker than the actual virus. Everywhere and anywhere have taken precautions and will continue. And Canterbury is added to that list.
The Girls Varsity Lacrosse team was scheduled to go to Nevada for their spring training. However with the recent spike of cases related to the coronavirus, the school decided to cancel their trip to ensure both the health and season of the team.
“I think everyone is [disappointed],” said Coach Mulhern, “You spend months and months planning and for it not to happen is disappointing. It’s unfortunate because we usually get a lot done.”
This minor speed bump won’t stop the reigning Class B Champions from attempting to go back-to-back. Even with a team filled with 11 soon to graduate seniors, they are not looking to rebuild.
Coach Mulhern stated that, “The long term goal is to not have a rebuilding year. The plan is to have a large practice squad so the younger can play with the older so we can never use the term rebuilding.”
They’re not the only team looking to find some other way to prepare for the upcoming season. The Varsity Baseball team had their spring training trip to Florida cancelled as well.
“I am obviously very disappointed with the cancellation. There are a host of benefits from going to Florida on a spring break trip,” Coach Mathewson said, “However, the safety of our students needs to be our top priority and I will support the decision made by our Administration.”
Returning senior, Michael Buckingham, ’20, said, “Even though the trip is cancelled, I believe the team we have the year can overcome it and be a closer team than I have ever been a part of at Canterbury.”
The team had a low year in 2019 by their standards. While they still finished above .500 at 10-7-1, they weren’t able to get a bid for the WNEPBL Tournament even with the lineup some would consider an All-Star caliber team with the likes of Chaz Powell, ‘19, Max Cotier, ‘19, and plenty more.
Coach Mathewson said, “I certainly think we can contend for a title this year. There is a lot of talent and some very good teams in the WNEPBL but I think we will be able to compete with them.”
However, for some, the concern is more about the season as a whole as the coronavirus is yet to be truly contained. Coach Mulhern has been told that a few schools aren’t even allowing some of the teams to come back early for any spring training.
She said, “I fear the whole spring season will be compromised by the coronavirus. Every school is talking about something different. We’re allowed to come back early but that could change.”
Even a lot of local teams around Connecticut have cancelled games and tournaments due to the fear and spread of the virus. The CIAC has cancelled all remaining C.I.A.C. Boys Ice Hockey tournaments (or States as the players know them) in fear of the virus. The NBA as well has suspended its season. The league on Wednesday announced that it would use hiatus to determine the next steps and what its next course of action will be .
While nothing has been said or even whispered about yet, the fear of potentially a whole season going down and being cancelled is scary for all schools, players, and coaches. Most varsity teams for the Saints are scheduled as of right now to come back on the 22nd to start some form of spring training before their regular seasons kick off either that weekend or next week.
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